Officials: Time to watch for firefighter donation scams

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DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. -- Authorities say people need to be aware of scams related to donations for firefighters working on the wildfires in Oregon.

They say the best place to go if you want to help is the Wildland Firefighter Foundation, the American Red Cross or another established organization.

Here is the latest news released on the Douglas Complex:

Evacuations have been downgraded to a level 2 for Reuben Road, Mt. Reuben Road and McCullough Creek Road in Douglas County. Residents will be allowed to return home on alert. The roads remain closed to the public. Josephine County remains the same with Level 3 evacuations for Poorman Creek, Lower Graves Creek Road, Grave Creek Road, and Lower Wolf Creek.

Please be aware and watch for scams related to donations for firefighters. If you are interested in donating, please look to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation, Red Cross, or another established organization.

The Douglas Complex

Currently consists of Rabbit Mountain, on the west side of Interstate 5, northwest of Glendale, Dad’s Creek, west of Glendale, and the Farmer’s Fire south of Glendale. The Oregon Military Department and the Oregon Office of Emergency Management are assisting with response to the Douglas Complex. The Oregon Army National Guard is providing aviation assets at the request of the Oregon Department of Forestry. Five aircraft are prepared to help with fire suppression including three HH-60M Blackhawk helicopters, one CH-47 Chinook helicopter, and one UH-72 Lakota. Approximately 125 Soldiers along with 26 High Mobility Multi Wheeled Vehicles are also slated to be called-up on State Active Duty within the next 72 hours to assist with traffic control in the evacuated areas.

Milo
Milo Branch is a group of smaller fires, all less than 20 acres in size. These fires will be turned back to Douglas Forest Protective Association today. No further control problems are expected on these fires.

Rabbit Mountain
Near Middle Creek, firefighters continue to make progress on line construction as well as setting up hoses and water for use in extinguishing heat along the fire line. The containment line held yesterday with some mop up started.

Dad’s Creek
The south end of the fire continues to burn actively near Grave Creek. Structural engines worked with hand crews to contain the spread of fire on the West end of Grave Creek road.

Approximately 30 homes are being threatened in the Grave Creek, Poorman Creek, and Lower Wolf Creek areas. Crews will continue to remove any vegetation that may be considered a fire hazard around structures in the Grave Creek and Wolf Creek area today.

The fire is expected to burn actively again in the afternoon when winds start to affect fire movement.

Weather: The marine layer will break sooner today. Temperatures will be up 5-10 degrees and humidity lower. Winds will pick up in the afternoon, coming from the west and rotating northwest with gusts up to 20miles per hour. A drying trend is forecasted for the weekend.

Evacuations and Closures:

Cow Creek Road from Riddle into the fire area and from Glendale into the fire has been closed. The public is asked to honor the road blocks and not interfere with firefighters working in the area.

Residences in the area are still considered threatened. This means evacuations could be necessary at some point in the future. Any official evacuation orders would be issued by the Douglas County or Josephine County Sheriff’s Offices.

Fire Information Meetings: A public meeting is planned for Friday at the Glendale Elementary School at 6:30 pm.